Is God Good?

[JohnR7]

Everyone may have a different answer for this and that is fine. In the Bible we read about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This and the tree of life. I wonder: is good and evil balanced? Is there as much good as there is evil in this world? In the law of thermodynamics we have equilibrium (a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced). I talk about river rocks and how the water forms them in a way that they are very easy to balance. So we know there is a lot of balance in the universe, cosmos or world we live in. We ask why there is so much suffering. I know people that love to play the victim card. Yet if there is just as much pleasure as there is pain. If here is just as much good as there is evil - then everything in life and in the universe balances itself out and cancels itself out. In quantum physics everything would cancel itself out. So there has to be a million and one positive particles and a million negative in order for us to exist. It there was more negative then positive then I would think this would cancel everything out so that nothing could exist. Although you cannot have nothing without something to compare it to.

Then of course we do hear that God is abundantly above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think. If there were as much good somewhere as there is evil, pain, misery and suffering in this world, I would think that would be substantial. We also hear that we need to die to self so we can live for God. I am not sure how that plays into all of this.

 

[MattforJesus]

Everyone may have a different answer for this and that is fine. In the Bible we read about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This and the tree of life. I wonder: is good and evil balanced? Is there as much good as there is evil in this world? In the law of thermodynamics we have equilibrium (a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced). I talk about river rocks and how the water forms them in a way that they are very easy to balance. So we know there is a lot of balance in the universe, cosmos or world we live in. We ask why there is so much suffering. I know people that love to play the victim card. Yet if there is just as much pleasure as there is pain. If here is just as much good as there is evil - then everything in life and in the universe balances itself out and cancels itself out. In quantum physics everything would cancel itself out. So there has to be a million and one positive particles and a million negative in order for us to exist. It there was more negative then positive then I would think this would cancel everything out so that nothing could exist. Although you cannot have nothing without something to compare it to.

Then of course we do hear that God is abundantly above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think. If there were as much good somewhere as there is evil, pain, misery and suffering in this world, I would think that would be substantial. We also hear that we need to die to self so we can live for God. I am not sure how that plays into all of this.

It would of never entered Adam and Eve's mind to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil unless an outside source tempted them.

So God allowed Satan to tempt Eve which she said they could not eat of the tree for that is all she could know and think.

Then Satan tempted her with an alternate reality that if they ate of the tree they would be as gods knowing good and evil, and have an elevated position and can make their own decisions without obeying God for they are a god themselves.

And Eve ate and sinned, and then she was the outside source that tempted Adam showing him that she did not die, and no harm came to her, and he ate and sinned.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil means choice, and when Adam and Eve ate of the tree they had a choice instead of only knowing to do good.

It has nothing to do with a balance, and good and evil depends on the people of the world, for they determine the ratio between good and evil by their actions.

And one day God will do away with evil, and the New Jerusalem is a place where sin has never been, and sin will never be, so there is no balance there but only good, and evil is not being done anymore.

There does not have to be a balance good and evil which is testified that God wants everyone to do good, and for no problems to be on earth.

There may be a balance between other things physical, but does not apply to the actions of good and evil, for that is like do you want chicken or beef, it is a choice that does not have to have a balance.

Or maybe I do not know what you mean.

 

[Dave-L]

Everyone may have a different answer for this and that is fine. In the Bible we read about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This and the tree of life. I wonder: is good and evil balanced? Is there as much good as there is evil in this world? In the law of thermodynamics we have equilibrium (a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced). I talk about river rocks and how the water forms them in a way that they are very easy to balance. So we know there is a lot of balance in the universe, cosmos or world we live in. We ask why there is so much suffering. I know people that love to play the victim card. Yet if there is just as much pleasure as there is pain. If here is just as much good as there is evil - then everything in life and in the universe balances itself out and cancels itself out. In quantum physics everything would cancel itself out. So there has to be a million and one positive particles and a million negative in order for us to exist. It there was more negative then positive then I would think this would cancel everything out so that nothing could exist. Although you cannot have nothing without something to compare it to.

Then of course we do hear that God is abundantly above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think. If there were as much good somewhere as there is evil, pain, misery and suffering in this world, I would think that would be substantial. We also hear that we need to die to self so we can live for God. I am not sure how that plays into all of this.

Gordon Clark solved for many the problem of Evil. This is a bare-bones summary worth looking into if interested.

Clark first asks; "How can the existence of God be harmonized with the existence of evil?"

If God is all-good, He would want to destroy evil.

If God is all-powerful, He is able to destroy evil. But evil still exists.

It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

Clark stated that "God's causing a man to sin is not sin. There is no law, superior to God, which forbids him to decree sinful acts. Sin presupposes a law, for sin is lawlessness." Clark explained that "God is above law" because "the laws that God imposes on men do not apply to the divine nature."

 

[JeremiahsCup]

God is good, all the evil and corruption will not last forever because it cannot stand before the full glory of God. The darkness cannot bear the light, but will be destroyed by the light. There will be no balance nor will there be any sort of alliance between the light and the darkness. God and his perfect kingdom shall destroy the pathetic kingdom of Satan. God will reign forever, in Jesus name, amen.

 

[John146]

Gordon Clark solved for many the problem of Evil. This is a bare-bones summary worth looking into if interested.

Clark first asks; "How can the existence of God be harmonized with the existence of evil?"

If God is all-good, He would want to destroy evil.

If God is all-powerful, He is able to destroy evil. But evil still exists.

It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

Clark stated that "God's causing a man to sin is not sin. There is no law, superior to God, which forbids him to decree sinful acts. Sin presupposes a law, for sin is lawlessness." Clark explained that "God is above law" because "the laws that God imposes on men do not apply to the divine nature."

Clark be wrong. You should go with Scripture.

 

[Dino246]

Clark be wrong. You should go with Scripture.

Without giving Scripture that specifically refutes Clark's statements, your comment is unhelpful at best.

 

[DWR]

I find this a strange question.
If you do not see and feel the goodness of God you should be on your knees.

 

[kaylagrl]

Gordon Clark solved for many the problem of Evil. This is a bare-bones summary worth looking into if interested.

Clark first asks; "How can the existence of God be harmonized with the existence of evil?"

If God is all-good, He would want to destroy evil.

If God is all-powerful, He is able to destroy evil. But evil still exists.

It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

Clark stated that "God's causing a man to sin is not sin. There is no law, superior to God, which forbids him to decree sinful acts. Sin presupposes a law, for sin is lawlessness." Clark explained that "God is above law" because "the laws that God imposes on men do not apply to the divine nature."

But we know why evil exists, and it's not because God isn't good or powerful. Man made his choice in the garden. The earth and all within it has been affected. When Christ returns evil will be punished. He has allowed evil for a time. But only for a time. Has nothing to do with His power or His goodness. Otherwise He'd have destroyed man in the garden and been done with him

 

[Dino246]

Gordon Clark solved for many the problem of Evil. This is a bare-bones summary worth looking into if interested.

Clark first asks; "How can the existence of God be harmonized with the existence of evil?"

If God is all-good, He would want to destroy evil.

If God is all-powerful, He is able to destroy evil. But evil still exists.

It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

Clark stated that "God's causing a man to sin is not sin. There is no law, superior to God, which forbids him to decree sinful acts. Sin presupposes a law, for sin is lawlessness." Clark explained that "God is above law" because "the laws that God imposes on men do not apply to the divine nature."

The problem with the syllogism is that it posits two unbiblical premises and an unbiblical conclusion. They aren't anti-biblical, but they also aren't sourced in Scripture.

The Bible teaches that God is indeed both good and almighty. It teaches that He will crush evil eventually. We live in the in-between time, when God is in the process of destroying evil as He in His wisdom has determined to do. The so-called "problem of evil" exists only because humans are impatient and arrogant.

 

[John146]

Without giving Scripture that specifically refutes Clark's statements, your comment is unhelpful at best.

Thanks. You always have a helpful comment.😉

 

[Dave-L]

But we know why evil exists, and it's not because God isn't good or powerful. Man made his choice in the garden. The earth and all within it has been affected. When Christ returns evil will be punished. He has allowed evil for a time. But only for a time. Has nothing to do with His power or His goodness. Otherwise He'd have destroyed man in the garden and been done with him

God created evil when he created Satan and Adam and the rest of us. How can he be good if he is all-powerful and can stop evil? "It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

 

[Dave-L]

Clark be wrong. You should go with Scripture.

How do you answer Clark from scripture? It's possible if you use scripture alone.

 

[John146]

How do you answer Clark from scripture? It's possible if you use scripture alone.

God is not the author of sin. He is Holy and pure and righteous.

 

[John146]

God created evil when he created Satan and Adam and the rest of us. How can he be good if he is all-powerful and can stop evil? "It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

Goodness is just one of His characteristics. God’s not only good.

 

[Dave-L]

Goodness is just one of His characteristics. God’s not only good.

I think you define "good" by human standards. Ice cream is good.

 

[Dave-L]

God is not the author of sin. He is Holy and pure and righteous.

Technically, we are the author of sin. God is the cause.

 

[John146]

Technically, we are the author of sin. God is the cause.

Technically? Absolutely! Show me where Scripture states God causes sin? For He cannot tempt man in this manner.

 

[kaylagrl]

God created evil when he created Satan and Adam and the rest of us. How can he be good if he is all-powerful and can stop evil? "It seems that God cannot be both all-good and all-powerful. However, Christianity teaches that He is both. This is the problem of evil."

I heard you the first time. God did not create evil. God has "allowed" evil to exist and given us a choice. But God did not create evil, that is un-Biblical.

 

[Dave-L]

Technically? Absolutely! Show me where Scripture states God causes sin? For He cannot tempt man in this manner.

“And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” 1 Kings 22:19–23 (KJV 1900)

 

[kaylagrl]

Technically? Absolutely! Show me where Scripture states God causes sin? For He cannot tempt man in this manner.

Right, the Bible says God isn't the author of confusion, let alone evil. That's heading into Muslim belief.